He released her hand and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his legs while his hands covered his face. “The Knights ordered me to stand down.”

Reid rubbed his back again, wondering who called the shots for the Knights. Anna? “I didn’t ask what the Knights are going to do. I asked what we’re going to do.”

He chuckled, the sound humorless. “You’re not going to do anything.”

“What are you planning?” she asked, cold fear slithering down her spine.

“I’m planning to avenge my father’s death.”

Chapter Eighteen

Ackley’s words rang in the air. He planned to assassinate the king without the support of the Knights. “I think you need to talk to Dexter,” she whispered. Since Dexter also planned to kill the king, they should work together to coordinate the assassination. The chance of success would be much higher.

“Why?”

She didn’t want to violate Dexter’s trust, but she would be helping Dexter by telling Ackley this vital information. “You’re both planning the same thing.”

“It’s not his place.”

“Of course it is,” she said, curling her legs under her. “Eldon plans to invade Axian. Dexter has a right and a duty to protect his people and his land.”

“Eldon is my brother.”

“He’s just as much Dexter’s brother as he is yours.”

“Eldon killed my father.”

Doing something purely out of revenge was never the right reason to kill. However, she couldn’t tell him that when he was vastly more experienced in the art of murder than she was. “Having grown up with Eldon, knowing him so intimately, could you actually kill him? What’s that going to do to your mother?”

“Reid,” Ackley whispered, reaching out and clutching her hand again. “There’s so much I need to tell you.”

“Right now, we need to focus on the future and come up with a plan.”

The door clicked shut. Reid glanced over her shoulder. Dexter and Colbert had entered the room.

“Explain what you mean by focus on the future,” Dexter almost snarled as he prowled closer, his eyes zeroing in on Reid and Ackley’s joined hands.

Ackley chuckled softly. “Easy there, cousin.” His face instantly transformed from sulking to aloof indifference.

Reid removed her hand from Ackley’s. “We’re talking about working together instead of independently since we all have the same goal—to eliminate the king.” She looked pointedly at Dexter. “If we pool our resources, we may be able to pull this off.”

Dexter blinked, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.

“I think that’s wise,” Colbert said as he sat across from Reid. “But before we discuss anything further, I want to be clear on who the new king will be.”

“I’d like for Henrick to take over,” Ackley said. “Gordon isn’t ready for the responsibility, nor has he been groomed for anything other than leading soldiers.”